Prince Philip: The longest reigning Royal Consort
As the country mourns the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, we take a look back at his marriage to the Queen
Last updated 9th Apr 2021
As the country mourns the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, we take a look back at his long marriage to Queen Elizabeth II.
Their royal love affair spans decades, with Princess Elizabeth first meeting her future husband in 1934, when she was only 8-years-old. Prince Phillip went on to be the longest serving Royal Consort in the world.
The couple met again in 1939, but it was not until 9 July 1946 that the couple announced their engagement. Prince Philip had asked for King George VI’s permission, who agreed on the condition that the official announcement would not be made until his daughter had turned 21.
Upon becoming engaged to Princess Elizabeth, Prince Philip abandoned his Dutch and Greek royal titles and became a British citizen, going by the name Mountbatten.
The pair married in Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947, less than five years before Princess Elizabeth became Queen.
In fact, it was Prince Philip who broke the news to his then 25-year-old wife that her father, King George VI, had died, making her Queen. At the time, the couple were on holiday in Kenya with their young children.
Prince Philip is the longest reigning Consort
When Princess Elizabeth became Queen, Prince Philip automatically became Consort of the British Monarch, a title he held for over 69-years.
He is the longest serving Consort in the history of the British monarchy, surpassing the previous record held King George III’s wife Queen Charlotte on 17 April 2009.
Having spent over 70-years of marriage under the watchful gaze of the British public, the couple together faced both celebrations and challenges, but remained united throughout.
At their Golden wedding celebrations in 1997, the Queen credited Prince Philip as being her “strength and stay all these years” and recognised his “constant love and help” in supporting her throughout her reign.
The Royal marriage in pictures:
The Royal Wedding
The newly married Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day. They married on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey, having announced their engagement in July 1946.
The Coronation
Waving from Buckingham Palace, this time as the newly coronated Queen and Consort of the Monarch. The Queen's coronation took place on 2 June 1953, following the death of her father, King George VI the previous year.
Silver Wedding Anniversary
Their Royal Highnesses celebrating their Silver Wedding Anniversary at Balmoral in Scotland in 1972.
The new millenium
Prince Philip kisses the Queen as they celebrate entering a new millennium. In the year 2000, they celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.
Duke of Edinburgh receives honour from Queen
In 2013, the Queen presented her husband, Prince Philip, with the Order of New Zealand, the country's highest honour. This was awarded alongside the Queen's birthday honours list in 2012, on the advice of the New Zealand Government.
Sharing a smile
The couple have been frequently caught sharing a smile or a laugh when carrying out visits and Royal duties. Their daughter-in-law, the Countess of Wessex once noted that the success of the pair's relationship was founded in laughter and support. She said: "they make each other laugh, which is half the battle, isn't it?"
Prince Philip's funeral
After 73 years of marriage, Prince Philip passed away aged 99. The Queen had to sit on her own for the funeral due to social distancing rules in place at the time. The Queen described the death of the Duke of Edinburgh as leaving "a huge void" in her life.
Read more:
The legacy of the Duke of Edinburgh Award
Looking back at Prince Philip's charity work
Buckingham Palace announce death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh